Interior Pocket for Garment

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides an interior pocket for a garment such as a shirt that affords an enhanced degree of secrecy and security for articles stored in the interior pocket. The interior pocket affords a greater degree of protection against easy theft compared to an outside pocket by being situated on the inside of the shirt between the shirt and the wearer&#39;s body. Positioning the items in the interior pocket reduces the risk of thievery using the slight of hand by a pickpocket.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional application claiming priority to U.S. Ser. No. 60/432,605, filed Dec. 11, 2002, entitled “Interior Pocket for Garment”, the content of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

This invention relates in general to the construction of a pocket for garments such as shirts, pants, sweaters, shorts, that is designed to facilitate storing items such as glasses, cell phones, calculators, pens, pencils, combs, money, credit cards and the like, without losing, damaging or destroying the articles in the normal wearing of the garment.

For instance, in the case of an outside shirt pocket, when a wearer simply bends over to pick up an object, reaches up for an item, or jumps up for an article, there is a risk that articles will be dislodged from an outside pocket and cause damage or possibly harm to the articles, to the owner attempting to prevent dislodging of the articles, or to another person. The simple task of bending over to pick up a child could cause articles stored in an outside shirt pocket to fall onto the child. Working on mechanical moving devices with articles carried in an outside pocket could result in some or all of the contents falling into the mechanism and damaging the mechanism or harming the wearer trying in haste to catch the articles falling into the mechanism.

In addition to accidental dislodgement of articles, an outside pocket is also susceptible to thievery by pickpockets. Articles such as money, credit cards, or check books can be seen by a potential thief and surreptitiously removed from an outside pocket.

The outer appearance of the garment is also an important aspect in the design of fashionable clothing. Pens, glasses, combs and the like, when stored in an outside pocket can give a cluttered appearance to an otherwise fashionable garment.

Interior pockets are known for jackets and coats. However, in today's business environment, casual attire for office workers is more common. Jackets are worn less often. An interior pocket is thus not available to many people during the business day. Additionally, garments for other activities do not typically include jackets and coats where such activities occur in a warm environment such as on a golf course or at the beach. An interior pocket would not be available.

The present inventor has recognized the desirability of providing an interior pocket for a shirt that was aesthetically pleasing, and afforded a degree of security and secrecy to the contents of the interior pocket.

The present inventor has recognized the desirability of an interior pocket construction that could be permanently affixed to a garment during manufacture of the garment in a cost effective manner, or which could be applied to a garment post production.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The invention provides an interior pocket for a garment such as a shirt that affords an enhanced degree of secrecy and security for articles stored in the interior pocket. The interior pocket affords a greater degree of protection against easy theft compared to an outside pocket by being situated on the inside of the shirt between the shirt and the wearer's body. Positioning the items in the interior pocket reduces the risk of thievery using the slight of hand by a pickpocket.

The invention may be constructed to provide an interior pocket that enables a more attractive garment, wherein the pocket and the contents of the pocket are not visible to the public.

The invention may be constructed to provide an interior pocket that can be affixed securely to any garment, the interior pocket constructed through means of outer and inner material attached to the aforementioned garment.

The invention may be constructed to provide an interior pocket that can be affixed securely to any garment, the interior pocket constructed through means of outer and inner material attached to the aforementioned garment thereby creating an interior pocket using portions of the inner garment.

The invention may be constructed to provide a simple and effortless means of a fixing the interior pocket through means of outer and inner material attached to the aforementioned garment.

The invention may be constructed to provide an interior pocket which can be affixed securely to any garment, the interior pocket constructed through means of outer and inner material attached to the aforementioned garment, the outer material camouflaging the interior pocket from any outward look of bulk upon the garment.

Through the variety of decorations of the outer material, the interior pocket can be less obvious in bulk and therefore when applied to a shirt, can be used to keep the look of a “no pocket”conventional shirt. Such ornamentation might include embroidery, attractive patterns, logos, insignias, coat of arms, badges, shields, emblems, or indicia. The outer material assists in the camouflaging or concealing of the bulk content of the interior pocket, thereby enhancing the image of the wearer to be a trimmer and more fashionable look.

Easy access to the interior pocket is provided by the design of the garment and location of the decoration/interior pocket. An interior pocket entry is provided through the opening from the V neck design of many golf shirts or “plackets”, from the V neck design of certain sweaters, from the top opened buttons of casual dress shirts, from the design of certain dresses and blouses with button openings, from the design of shorts and pants, from all of the above and more which will contain a myriad of other openings from which the wearer can access the interior pocket with relative ease.

The invention may be constructed to provide an interior pocket which can be affixed securely to any garment, the interior pocket constructed through means of outer and inner material attached to the aforementioned garment, the interior pocket being portable and thereby usable on many different articles of clothing.

The invention may be constructed to provide an interior pocket which can be affixed securely to any garment, the interior pocket constructed through means of outer and inner material attached to the aforementioned garment that is permanent to many different articles of clothing.

The invention may be constructed to provide an interior pocket which can be affixed securely to any garment, the interior pocket constructed through a means of outer and inner material attached to the aforementioned garment by a procedure which can use fastening devices such as buttons, zippers, fasteners, screws and nuts, hooks, Velcro, threads, laces, snaps, pins, clips, magnets, or adhesive tape.

The invention may be constructed to provide an interior pocket which can be affixed securely to any garment, the interior pocket constructed through means of outer and inner material attached to the aforementioned garment which can be of various sizes, shapes, designs and forms.

The invention may be constructed to provide an interior pocket which can be affixed securely to any garment, the interior pocket constructed through means of outer and inner material attached to the aforementioned garment which is designed to carry, conceal, secure, and/or protect various items such as money, credit cards, glasses, combs, pens, pencils, and other common articles.

The invention may be constructed to provide a variably-sized portable or permanent interior pocket for application to garment such a shirts, sweaters, shorts, pants and the like with a construction that encompasses an inner and outer piece of material affixed to the garment through a myriad of fastening devices which seals three sides of the pocket exclusive of the top of the interior pocket, the inner and outer pieces are coordinated with fastening devices to be positioned directly opposite of each other as they are affixed strategically to the garment for ease of access. The outer piece of material holds the interior pocket to the inner side of the garment. The pocket can be a complete pocket or can be a panel that forms a pocket using the inner wall of the garment. The outer piece of material can function to camouflage the contents within the interior pocket.

The invention may be constructed to provide an interior pocket that can be easily affixed to a garment during manufacture of the garment or post production.

Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will be become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the embodiments thereof, from the claims and from the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a shirt with one pocket construction of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of the shirt shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of an alternate embodiment pocket construction;

FIG. 3A is a fragmentary enlarged front perspective view of a portion of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of an alternate embodiment pocket construction;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of an alternate embodiment pocket construction;

FIG. 5A is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line 5A-5A of FIG. 5;

FIG. 5B is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line 5A-5A of FIG. 5 in a further stage of assembly;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of an alternate embodiment pocket construction; and

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of an alternate embodiment pocket construction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will be described herein in detail, specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.

FIG. 1 illustrates a shirt 20 having a front panel 24 with an outside surface 28 and an inside surface 30 (FIG. 2). A decorative outside panel 34 is carried on a left side of the outside surface 28 (left from a wearer's perspective). The panel 34 can be placed on either the right or left sides of the front panel 24. The decorative outside panel 34 can be soft or hard, composed of fabric, plastic, metal or any other compatible material. An interior pocket 40 is carried on the inside surface 30 of the front panel 24. The outside panel 34 is superimposed over at least a portion of the interior pocket. Preferably the outside panel 34 can include embroidery, attractive patterns, logos, insignias, coat of arms, badges, shields, emblems, or indicia.

FIG. 2 illustrates the un-assembled interior pocket 40 this time affixed to a right side of the front panel 24. The pocket 40 comprises an inner panel 42 and an outer panel 44. The inner panel 42 has a greater length than the outer panel 44 thus forming a rectangular top panel 46 having a height 47 about equal to a height 48 of the decorative outside panel 34. The inner panel 42 can be a fabric piece with a surrounding hem 52 along its sides and bottom. The outer panel 44 can be a fabric piece and includes hems 54 along its sides. The outer panel 44 is sewn onto the inner panel 42 along the sides and bottom to form a pocket.

The decorative panel 34, the garment panel 24, and the top panel 46 are sewn together around a perimeter of the decorative panel. The pocket 40 thus hangs freely from the affixed top panel 46. Alternatively, the lower portion of the pocket 40 could be sewn to the shirt panel 24. The top of the inner panel 42 is not attached to the top of the outer panel 44 to form an access opening or mouth into the pocket 40.

FIG. 3 illustrates an alternate embodiment decorative panel 134 and an alternate embodiment pocket 140, shown unassembled. The decorative panel 134 can be the same size as the pocket 140 to be superimposed over the pocket 140. The pocket 140 includes a heat-activated two-part epoxy formed in a pattern 142 that is applied onto a pocket panel 144 along the sides and bottom. The top is left unsecured for access into the pocket 140. The epoxy pattern 142 can be pre-applied to the panel 144 or to the shirt panel 24. Alternatively, the pattern can be in the form of an adhesive tape that is interposed between the pocket panel 144 and the shirt panel 24. The pocket panel 144 can have hems 146 all around its perimeter for structural support and reinforcement.

The decorative panel 134 also can include a heat-activated two-part epoxy pattern 152 for affixing the decorative panel to the shirt panel 24. In the embodiment shown, the top surface of the panel 134 is left unsecured to serve as an external pocket. Alternatively, the epoxy pattern 152 can be an all-over epoxy coating on the panel 134, or can be applied to the panel as shown except with the top also having a line of epoxy, i.e., the top being also secured. The pattern 152 can also be in the form of an adhesive tape interposed between the panel 134 and the front panel 24 of the shirt.

FIG. 3A illustrates one form of the panel 134 which can be in the form of a decorative crest. As also shown in FIG. 3A, the crest can be sized and shaped to over fit an existing shirt pocket 140. Preferably the outside panel 134 can include embroidery, attractive patterns, logos, insignias, coat of arms, badges, shields, emblems, or indicia.

FIG. 4 illustrates a further embodiment pocket 240 shown assembled and unassembled. The pocket 240 includes a backing panel 242 and an inside bottom or pouch-forming panel 244 secured along its sides and bottom to the panel 242 and having an access opening 246. The pocket 240 is secured to the panel 24 by use of a plurality of fasteners 252 which penetrate through an outside panel 253. Each fastened 252 can include male and female clip parts 254, 256. The panel 242 and the panel 244 can have hems around their respective perimeters to rigidify the pocket and reinforced the construction of the pocket and the attachment of the pocket to the garment.

FIG. 5 illustrates an alternate pocket 340 shown unassembled. The pocket 340 includes a back panel 342 and a floor panel or pouch-forming panel 344 that is sewn around its sides and bottom to the panel 342. Rivet-like fasteners 348 and an outside panel 350 are used to affix the pocket 340 to the shirt panel 24. One fastener 348 is used to attach the upper corners of the packet 340 and one is used to attach the bottom of the floor panel 344. The panels 344, 342 can have hems around their respective perimeters to rigidify the pocket and reinforce the construction of the pocket and the attachment of the pocket to the garment.

Preferably the outside panel 350 can include embroidery, attractive patterns, logos, insignias, coat of arms, badges, shields, emblems, or indicia.

FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate the fasteners 348 including a male part 360 and a female part 362 interengaged to clamp the outside panel 350, the shirt panel 24 and the backing panel 342 (or the floor panel 344) together. FIG. 5A shows the fastener 348 unassembled and FIG. 5B shows the fastener 348 assembled. The thickness of the three layers 342, 24, 350 is shown exaggerated in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment similar to FIG. 4 but which uses a smaller outside panel 370 for affixing the pocket 240. Preferably the outside panel 370 can include embroidery, attractive patterns, logos, insignias, coat of arms, badges, shields, emblems, or indicia.

FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment pocket assembly 440 that includes a backing panel 442 having an upper panel 444 that is folded over and sewn to form an upper enclosed pocket 443 that encloses a bar magnet 445 also shown outside the enclosed pocket. An inside panel 446 is sewn along its side and bottom to form the interior pocket. The facing surface 447 of the upper panel 444 is sewn to the inside surface 30 of the shirt panel 24. A decorative metallic plate 460 such as having etched indicia is then pressed to the outside surface 28 of the shirt panel 24 and is held to the shirt panel 24 by magnetic attraction of the bar magnet 445.

The outside panels 34, 134, 253, 350, 370 460 can all be configured to stylishly decorate the garment, functionally support the interior pocket and/or discreetly conceal the interior pocket or the contents of the interior pocket.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims. 

1. A garment, comprising: a front panel covering a front surface of a wearer's torso when worn; an interior pocket attached to an inside of the front panel providing a compartment arranged between the front panel and the wearers torso when worn, said pocket having an opening for access into the pocket, said opening located between the front panel and the wearer's torso when worn; and an outside panel arranged against an outside of the front panel and at least partially superimposed over the interior pocket.
 2. The garment according to claim [Claim Reference], wherein said garment comprises a shirt.
 3. The garment according to claim [Claim Reference], wherein said outside panel has a size and shape to be coextensive with the interior pocket.
 4. The garment according to claim [Claim Reference], wherein said outside panel and said pocket are affixed to said front panel using threads or fasteners which penetrate said outside panel, said front panel and said pocket.
 5. The garment according to claim [Claim Reference], wherein said outside panel is a fabric piece.
 6. The garment according to claim [Claim Reference], wherein said outside panel comprises a metallic piece. 